so steve bruce has stated that he wants to sign john mensah on a permanant deal, but is worried about his fitness due to a constant back injury. but do you think he is right taking up a squad place with someone who is so injury prone, or do you think he should start looking elsewhere
I would like to see Mensah full time at the SOL - would a "paid per game" be better then? Would then free up a loan slot and give us more options?
A no for me I'm afraid, we have and can get better options and I love Mensah, just cant count on him.
Free transfer to ã2million, yes. Any more , no. Send him for the op, and have 4 good years after a year without.
I'm with BB on this one, if we can get him for a reasonable sum then he is worth it, the guy is quality and if we owned him so to speak we could get him that operation he needs. He adds a calmness at the back, you just know he's going to make that tackle and win the ball where as with Ferdy or even Turner, sometimes it's like flipping a coin.
Not to mention having three Ghanians is great for their moral, and they still play together when they are away on International duty.
A definite yes, and maybe a little more. He is without doubt (when fit) one of the best defenders in the Premier League FFS! Last season he was immeasurably influential and played a significant role (him and Hutton) in keeping us out of trouble -in the nether end of the season when some of our player's confidence wobbled, he was mighty! This season and of late he hasn't been on song imo - when he's fit he's our first choice CB, so why wouldn't we want him? I also hear that he's great for the dressing room craic. I've been saying this for a while - sort him out and we can get 3-4 good seasons out of him
Like BB and Myrtle - either a "nominal fee" or pay per play deal, get the op and...................... yes. Otherwise sorry it's a no, just too many games out.
If u let Mensah go, Muntari may not sign and if Muntari does not sign I can see Gyan going to spurs or somethign in the summer. I believe Mensah is our key to African support and possible future sigings from the Afican continent so it is imperitive that we come to some kind of deal to keep him here. Not to mention the team spirit and confidence it brings having 3 team mates from the Ghana in the team, possible 4 if we sign Danny Welbeck as he originates from there aswel.
controversal, you just opened up a whole new debate mate, dont know what to say cos thats stumped me, you may have a point, cant really answer much more as i just dont know, anyone got an ideas on this theory?
I think he has a very strong point, but i don't think Mensah being here is make or break. Sessegnon and Gyan are on long term deals, and will not be sold this summer, simple as that. Muntari is a big friend of Gyan's, clearly, so that may be enough influence for him to stay. The other African lads are fully aware of Mensahs lack of games, and therfore his risk to the club on a permanent deal.
Would love Mensah to join in the summer but only for a small fee up to a max of 2.5m & on decent wages on his day he is the best CB i have seen play for Sunderland.
I just hope that letting Mensah go isnt the start of a mass exodous of the Ghana lads, not to mention the praise he gets from Brucey and fellow team mates regarding his role in the dressing room and on the field etc. Anyways we still have a chunk of games left, so lets see how he performs and hopefully this will make Bruce's decision easier. Personally I would love him to stay at Sunderland whatever the circumstances and have some kind of role as African ambassador between Sunderland and African countries both during and after his playing days with Sunderland
I know this will sound really daft but, how about getting in touch with Mensah and aking him if he would be our SAFC to Africa ambassador, said it was daft, but...